Motivating Kids to Read

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : July : 16

Motivating Kids to Read
By Amy Lee

Christie,

I believe your ideas are great. You will be surprise what students will do if they know an animal is involved.

Two years ago I came up with the theme "Hooked on Reading" and used a fishing theme for my sixth
graders. After students read a book they had to complete a book mark. I designed the bookmark using MicroSoft Word and then had them photocopied. They had to illustrate the front of the book mark with a scene and on the back was space to fill in a brief summary along with the student's name, title of the book, and the book's author. Below the summary and book information I had 5 pictures

of fish. Students had to rate the book by coloring in the fish with all 5 being shaded in as excellent book and 1 being poor book to read (concept is like 5 stars or two thumbs up for movies). They really got into it and took it serious. It was funny how students would state the book really deserved more than 4 fish but not five. So they would shade in 4 and 1/2 fish. Then using hooks and thumb tacks I would hang the book marks on the bulletin board. Students really became competive to see who had the most book marks. Also they could remove a book mark and use it for the current book they were reading. It was a nice way to keep up with the books they were reading for the end of year reading log which goes in their English portifolio for the next school year. At the end of the year they took the book marks home.

I have heard of teachers designing their rooms into a "coffee shop" or "cafe" setting. Students are allowed to drink hot chocolate and eat light snacks while they read. Also they are allowed to have book discussions.

For the first time this year I had sixth grade students into groups of 3 to 4 reading the same book. They were given a deadline to have the book read. As a group they came up with a reading log of what pages would be read in class and for homework for each day of reading. This is a contract for the group and I had a copy to monitor if they were keeping up. It was understood any pages not completed in class became homework. Most of the time students were ahead of schedule. I had three novels going on at the same time and gave generic assignments to monitor comprehension plus I move from group to group. Groups who were on task were given small treats. I placed low reading students in with high ability students. One group read JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH and all students who finished on reading by the due date and completed all the work were allowed to watch the movie JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH plus have a snack. This was a great activity for the end of the year.

Don't forget in March . . . Dr. Seuss's birthday is celebrated and there are great activities which correlate with reading. This is great because my spring time their interest in reading can be declining. Just search the web for ideas.

Another idea is an end of the year auction. For each book students read and complete a small written report they can earn "Auction Dollars" to be spent at the end of the year. You assign values for the books and give students a list of different books and their values. You could link this into Accelerated Reading program. The "dollars" are placed in a savings account which the students is responsible for keeping up with the deposits (great math activity). You keep the balance sheet and double check their math. I participated in this activity when I was an elementary student (many moons ago). The school librarian contacted professional sports teams, actors, actresses, local businesses, etc. for auction items and explain what they would be used for. We had everything from stuffed animals, Mardi Gras beads and coins, a signed script from the "Cosby Show," autographed photographs, gift certificates from McDonald's, etc. Then the principal was the auctioneer. I guess you could have smaller scale auctions throughout the year.

-Amy Lee